The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-07

| pont, was to take care OF st. Augustine and
| blockade the coast down to Mosquito Inlet, the
passes of which would be then closed against
/ contraband of war
But this series Of operations could not be &C
complished in twenty-four hours. aud twenty
| four hours would be enough for the devastation
! Of the country by the Southerne-s.
| About three o'clock in the afternoon James
| Burbank had his first suspicious of what was
being devised against him. Mr.. Perry, after a
| round of inspection on the frontier of the plan
| tation, came hurriedly into Castle House and
! said,
Mr. Burbank, they have reported that some
| suspicious vagabonds are on their way to Camd-
| less Bay"
From the North"
"From the North
Almost at the same moment Zermah, return
ing from the landing place, told her master that
there was a lot of boats crossing the river and
approaching the right bank.
''They are coming from jacksonville"
Certainly"
"Go into the house, said Burbank land
don't go out again Zermah, on any pretence"
mo. master"
Burbank went off to reconnoitre. When he
returned. he could not but tell his friends that
matters looked threatening. An attack seemed
almost certain, ana IL was better tnat all should
be forewarned.
"And so," said Mr.. Stannard ''these scoun-
drels, on the eve of being curbed by the
federals, dare"
"Yes," said Burbank, coldly. .'Texar could
not miss such an opportunity of being revenged
when he is free to disappear as soon as his
vengeance is satisfied" Then with more ANNA
ton, he resumed, But will this mans crimes
always remain unpunished2 Will he always get
away2 In truth after doubling the Justice of
heaven"
James" said Mrs Burbank, sat time when
we may only have the help of God to trust to do
not reproach Him"
'.And let US put ourselves under His care"
said Alice Stannard
James Burbank recovering his GOODNESS, set
about giving his orders for the defense of the
house.
Have the blacks been told9" asked Edward
Carol.
"They will be-" said Burbank. "My idea is to
defend the palisades. We cannot think of de-
Tending the whole boundary of Candles Bay
against armed mob, for it is likely that the
assaants will be in large numbers. We must
get all the defenders into the inner ring. If,
fortunately, the paisade is forced, Castle House.
which once defed the Semino,es may perhaps
and by and Zermah, to whom I entrust them,
must not leave the house without my order. If
matters become serious, everything is prepared
for them to save themselves by the tunnel which
communicates with the little Marine Creek of
the St. Johns; there a boat will be found in
charge OF two of our It is hidden in the
bushes; and. Zermah, you must go in it mp the
river to Cedar Rock
"But you, Jamesl"
"And you fatherl"
Mrs. Burbank had seized the planter by the
arm, and Alice had caught hold of Mr.. Stannard,
as if the time had come for them to escape from
Castle House.
I'VE will do all to rejoin you,' said
Burbank when the position is no longer tena-
ble But you must promise. if the danger be-
comes too great. to get away to safety at Cedar
Rock. We shall want all we have of courage and
audacity to keep back the scoundrels, and resist
them till our ammunition fails"
Evidently this is what would have to be done
if the assallants were too numerous and sue.
ceeded in forcing the palisades and invading the
park so as to make a direct attack Castle
House.
James Burbank then called together his men,
and Perry and his assistants off to the bar
racoons with his orders. In less than an hour
the blacks in fighting trim, were drawn up near
the gate in the palisa des: Their wives and chill
dren had gone off to seek safety in the woods
round Candles Bay.
Unfortunately, the means of organizing
rious defense3 were limited. Since the begin
ming of the it had been almost impossible
to procure arms and ammunition in sufficient
quantity. Burbank had in vain tried to buy
them at jacksonville; and he had to be content
with what remained in the house after the last
siege by the Seminoles.
His plan was to preserve Castle House from
being burnt or stormed. He could not dream of
protecting the estate. saving the workshops
stores, factories. or barracoons, preventing
the plantation from being devastated. He had
hardly four hundred negroes in a state to oppose
the assailants, and these were insufficiently
armed A few dozen muskets were distributed
to the best men, while the of precision
were kept in reserve for James Blu reank. his
friends Perry, and the assistant overseers.
The whole force was drawn up at the gate in
suci. manner as to repulse the threatened
assault on the palisades which were also de-.
Tended by the creek that ran round them.
Amid the confusion Pygmalion was very busy
and excited busting hither and thither and
doing nothing. He was like one of those circus
clowns who pretend to do everything and do
nothing much to the amusement OF the audience.
Pyg. considering hi mself as belonging especially
to the defend ers of the house, did not dream
Of associating with his comrades outside
Never had he felt himself so devoted to James
Burbank.
All was ready in the garrison. On what side
was the attack to comet If the assalanrs ap-
peared on the northern side the defense could
ne most easily conducted. IL on the contrary,
thew attacked on the river-front. the defense
would be more difficult owing TO Candles Bay
being open on that side A landing is always
dificnlt operation it is true and, under any
circumstancss. it would require good many
boats to transport armed band from one bank
hank Carol and Stannard they watched the
return of the scouts who had been sent to the
boundary of the plantation. 1t would not do to
he in the dark as to the manner of attack.
Ahout 4.30 in the evening the scouts returned
from the northern side of the estate and made
their report.
A column of armed men were advancing in